Central Asia news

Turkmen TV dropped the logo of the golden profile of the late president

Last Friday, Turkmen TV audience watched broadcasts without the logo of the golden profile of the Turkmenbashi mandatory until then at all four nationwide channels. It is another step within the framework of the policy of President Gurbankuly Berdymuhammedov who seems intent to do away with Saparmurat Niyazov's legacy. Berdymuhammedov disbanded the Turkmenbashi International Foundation in late June, announced that he did not want a nationwide celebration of his own 50th birthday, launched a purge in the regular army, and proclaimed military reforms.

In the meantime, the late Turkmenbashi's monuments can still be seen all over Turkmenistan. Observers point out that debunking of the personality cult in the republic may be prevented by the Turkmen elite where Niyazov's supporters are still playing the first fiddle.